In the unforgettable summer of 2010, hopes soared across South Africa as the country hosted the FIFA World Cup™ for the first time on African soil. When the hosts defeated France in their final group-stage match to claim their first-ever World Cup win, it felt as though the door to history had opened. Yet the final whistle brought a harsh reality: the victory was not enough. South Africa were eliminated on goal difference, leaving behind a memory that was about far more than the result – one of pride, but also of unfinished business.
Since that night, a long wait followed. Now, 16 years later, South Africa are back on the global stage, set to travel to North America for the FIFA World Cup 2026™. This time, they have qualified on merit, and carry renewed ambition. The objective is no longer simply to participate, but to go beyond the group stage. It is a challenge that will not be easy, as Bafana Bafana face co-hosts Mexico, Korea Republic and Czechia in Group A.
South Africa’s journey over recent decades has been marked by sharp contrasts – periods of rise followed by decline. FIFA looks back at the path that has led them to reclaim their place among the world’s elite.
Climbing to the top
Following the end of their sporting isolation in the early 1990s, South Africa entered a new era defined by rapid progress. They began their World Cup journey in the qualifiers for USA 1994, before securing their place at France 1998 and repeating the achievement at Korea/Japan 2002.
In both tournaments, they delivered respectable performances, despite not advancing beyond the group stage. In 1998, they scored their first-ever World Cup goals and held Denmark and Saudi Arabia to draws. Four years later, they came close to reaching the knockout rounds, drawing with Paraguay, defeating Slovenia to claim their first World Cup victory, before narrowly missing out on goal difference after a dramatic 3-2 loss to Spain.
Their greatest achievements came on the continental stage, highlighted by a stunning Africa Cup of Nations triumph on home soil in 1996 in their first appearance. That triumph was no one-off: they reached the final in 1998 and finished third in 2000, establishing themselves among Africa’s leading teams.
That generation was spearheaded by standout players such as Shaun Bartlett, the nation’s second-highest goalscorer, who netted twice against Saudi Arabia at France 1998. Benni McCarthy also emerged as a key figure, finishing as joint top scorer at AFCON 1998 and being named Player of the Tournament. He later scored at both the 1998 and 2002 FIFA World Cups, cementing his status as one of South Africa’s greatest players.
Decline and fade
The momentum built in the late 1990s and early 2000s gradually faded, as South Africa entered a prolonged period of decline and struggled to maintain a competitive identity. They repeatedly failed to qualify for the World Cup, returning only once — as hosts in 2010. Although their campaign ended in the group stage, it was considered respectable, as they collected four points with a draw against Mexico, highlighted by Siphiwe Tshabalala’s sensational strike, and a victory over France.
On the continental stage, South Africa were unable to sustain their earlier success, making only sporadic appearances in the latter stages of tournaments. The situation worsened with their absence from several editions of the AFCON, including 2010, 2012 and 2021 – a reflection of the decline that affected South African football over two decades.
Return to form
In recent years, clear signs of resurgence have emerged. South Africa’s third-place finish at the Africa Cup of Nations 2023 was a strong statement that they were once again capable of competing with the continent’s best. That progress was reinforced by qualification for World Cup 2026, confirming that this is not a fleeting resurgence but part of a sustained upward trajectory, one in which Belgian coach Hugo Broos has played a key role since taking charge in mid-2021.
This marks South Africa’s first qualification on merit since 2002. It highlights the scale of their progress after years of inconsistency and absence, offering Bafana Bafana the chance to return to the global stage with renewed hope. The signs of improvement extend beyond the national team. At club level, Mamelodi Sundowns have become a symbol of this revival, reaching the CAF Champions League final in 2025 – though they fell short against Egypt’s Pyramids. The club also competed in the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup 2025™, attracting global attention with their style of play.
Kaizer Chiefs reached the Champions League final in 2021, while Orlando Pirates advanced to the CAF Confederation Cup final in 2022. Together, these achievements underline South Africa’s renewed presence on the African stage. All eyes will now be on Bafana Bafana at the World Cup, where they will look to prove that their return is not a one-off, but the beginning of a new chapter.
